Sinn Féin - On Your Side

Bairbre de Brún welcomes Palestinian President Abbas to European Parliament

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún has this morning welcomed the confirmation
that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will address the European
Parliament in Strasbourg this coming Tuesday (16.05.06).

This will be would make the first trip to the European Parliament for
President Abbas. A previous planned visit in March was cancelled due to a
looming crisis at home when Israeli forces attacked and demolished Jericho
Jail. Many believe this was timed to prevent President Abbas from
addressing the European parliament in solemn session.

Speaking today Ms de Brún said:

"I look forward to hearing President Abbas‚ address to the European
Parliament next week. Unfortunately, Mr Abbas‚ last trip to meet MEPs had to
be aborted at the last minute due to an Israeli incursion into the city of
Jericho, which resulted in the killing of a guard and the public humiliation
and ill-treatment of prisoners.

"The importance of this visit should not be underestimated. At present the
Palestinian Authority is facing a severe humanitarian crisis. Following the
Hamas election victory at the beginning of the year, both the European Union
and the United States have frozen aid payments to the authority.

"No doubt President Abbas will impress upon MEPs the gravity of the
situation within Palestine at present. Tens of thousands of public service
workers have not been paid for over two months, essential services are
beginning to come under severe strain and food and medicine shortages have
been reported in the region.

"All of this comes against the backdrop of the continued Israeli occupation
of Palestine. Having travelled to Palestine as an election observer, I was
able to witness first hand the restrictions which are in place - roadblocks,
harassment of voters and candidates and the continued presence of the
'Apartheid Wall'.

"I want to take this opportunity to call upon the European Parliament and
Commission to address the funding crisis immediately. We cannot play
politics with the lives of the Palestinian people." ENDS